Karin Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-in //ˈkærɪn//
Origin: Scandinavian; Hebrew
Meaning: Scandinavian: pure; Hebrew: a form of Katherine
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Karin has its roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Greek name "Aikaterine," which is believed to mean "pure." This name was later adopted into Latin as "Caterina" and subsequently into various languages, including Scandinavian and Germanic forms. The transition into English occurred through the influence of these languages, particularly during the medieval period when names were often adapted and modified as they crossed linguistic boundaries.
Karin is often considered a diminutive of the name Katherine, which has a long history in Christian tradition, associated with saints and martyrs, particularly Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who was venerated in the early Christian church and is often depicted in art and literature as a symbol of wisdom and purity. Throughout history, the name Karin has been borne by various notable figures, contributing to its cultural significance.
In the 20th century, it gained prominence in Scandinavian countries, where it became a popular choice for girls. The name's association with purity and virtue, stemming from its etymological roots, has allowed it to resonate across different cultures and eras.
Additionally, the name has appeared in various literary and artistic works, reinforcing its presence in cultural narratives. Karin's enduring appeal can also be attributed to its simplicity and elegance, making it a favored choice in many societies.
The name has been embraced in various forms, including the diminutive "Kari," which is often used affectionately in Scandinavian cultures. Overall, Karin embodies a rich historical and cultural tapestry, reflecting both its linguistic origins and the enduring values associated with its meaning.
Famous people named Karin
In this section, you will find notable people named Karin. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Karin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Karin who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Karin Dreijer is a musician best known for being part of the electronic music duo The Knife and for her solo project Fever Ray.
Karin Slaughter is an author best known for her crime novels including Pretty Girls, Cop Town, and the Grant County series.
Karin von Schwartzenberg is a model and actress best known for her work in fashion and television.
Karin Ohlsson is a Swedish actress best known for her roles in various television series and films in Sweden.
Fictional characters named Karin
The following list of fictional characters named Karin is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Karin Uzumaki is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Naruto. She is a member of the Uzumaki clan and plays a significant role in the story as a supporting character with unique abilities.
Karin is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Bleach. She is a member of the Kurosaki family and serves as a key supporting character with a strong personality and a connection to the main protagonist.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Karin. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Karin was first seen in the United States in 1907.
Karin has ranked as high as #480 nationally, which occurred in 1970, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Karin has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Karin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Karin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Karin (2016)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Karin.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2012 | 31 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2010 | 39 |
| 2009 | 43 |
| 2008 | 46 |
| 2007 | 41 |
| 2006 | 54 |
| 2005 | 46 |
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2003 | 54 |
| 2002 | 59 |
| 2001 | 71 |
| 2000 | 73 |
| 1999 | 83 |
| 1998 | 81 |
| 1997 | 90 |
| 1996 | 86 |
| 1995 | 87 |
| 1994 | 121 |
| 1993 | 141 |
| 1992 | 112 |
| 1991 | 148 |
| 1990 | 157 |
| 1989 | 181 |
| 1988 | 179 |
| 1987 | 195 |
| 1986 | 211 |
| 1985 | 196 |
| 1984 | 272 |
| 1983 | 240 |
| 1982 | 296 |
| 1981 | 312 |
| 1980 | 337 |
| 1979 | 331 |
| 1978 | 420 |
| 1977 | 474 |
| 1976 | 462 |
| 1975 | 503 |
| 1974 | 573 |
| 1973 | 654 |
| 1972 | 664 |
| 1971 | 876 |
| 1970 | 1,051 |
| 1969 | 1,009 |
| 1968 | 971 |
| 1967 | 949 |
| 1966 | 855 |
| 1965 | 918 |
| 1964 | 886 |
| 1963 | 898 |
| 1962 | 826 |
| 1961 | 734 |
| 1960 | 738 |
| 1959 | 721 |
| 1958 | 669 |
| 1957 | 690 |
| 1956 | 725 |
| 1955 | 606 |
| 1954 | 571 |
| 1953 | 482 |
| 1952 | 477 |
| 1951 | 468 |
| 1950 | 360 |
| 1949 | 347 |
| 1948 | 461 |
| 1947 | 384 |
| 1946 | 275 |
| 1945 | 175 |
| 1944 | 205 |
| 1943 | 236 |
| 1942 | 415 |
| 1941 | 185 |
| 1940 | 129 |
| 1939 | 109 |
| 1938 | 101 |
| 1937 | 92 |
| 1936 | 55 |
| 1935 | 41 |
| 1934 | 40 |
| 1933 | 44 |
| 1932 | 32 |
| 1931 | 22 |
| 1930 | 21 |
| 1929 | 15 |
| 1928 | 16 |
| 1927 | 10 |
| 1926 | 10 |
| 1925 | 10 |
| 1924 | 8 |
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1922 | 11 |
| 1921 | 10 |
| 1920 | 9 |
| 1919 | 11 |
| 1918 | 14 |
| 1917 | 6 |
| 1916 | 11 |
| 1915 | 13 |
| 1914 | 11 |
| 1913 | 5 |
| 1912 | 6 |
| 1907 | 6 |